Our California asbestos and mesothelioma law firm concentrates on representing workers suffering from mesothelioma in third party asbestos lawsuits (against manufacturers, contractors, distributors and premises owners). We also represent victims of other types of asbestos-related cancers as well as seriously disabled victims of asbestosis.

Clients and potential clients are often curious about how we work as mesothelioma lawyers and “what happens” in an asbestos lawsuit. While we have standard practices for how we work, what will happen should you pursue an asbestos lawsuit with us is a difficult question to answer because every case we handle is unique. One of the things that make Kazan Law distinctive is that we handle every case on an individual basis. Nevertheless, asbestos litigation in California has some common features, and this section attempts to describe the A to Z of a “typical” lawsuit on behalf of someone with mesothelioma.

Discovery

“Discovery” is a legal term, but it really means nothing more than the process for all the parties in a lawsuit to discover things relevant to the lawsuit. Instead of using flashlights and maps, attorneys discover things by asking written questions (called interrogatories) and asking for documents (subpoenas and requests for production of documents.) The defendants find out things about the plaintiff, such as employment, marriage and medical history. On behalf of the plaintiff, Kazan Law finds out relevant information about who was responsible for the asbestos exposure at different places and at different times. Using this information, each side puts together its case.

One form of discovery that directly impacts every client is the deposition. This is a legal proceeding that takes place in or near the plaintiff’s home or at our offices. The plaintiff, under oath and on video, answers questions posed by the attorneys. We start and ask the first round of questions, then the attorneys for the defendants have their chance. The deposition is sometimes over in a couple of hours, but on other occasions the defendants stretch it out for more than a day. An experienced Kazan Law attorney will meet with the client before the deposition – to explain what will happen, prepare the client, and address the client’s concerns – and will protect the client throughout the deposition.

We do our best not to disrupt our clients’ lives, so we try to limit the time we take for the deposition, document review, and other preparation.

Behind the scenes, our team of investigators gathers information from many sources, to identify the asbestos products that the client was exposed to, and to identify the companies responsible for the products and for “safety” at the site. They are likely to contact co-workers, review depositions, visit libraries and archives, query our in-house databases, search our records collections, contact other law offices that might have information on the topic, access government document collections, and examine company records. They leave no stone unturned as they expand upon the information gathered at the first interview. It is not uncommon for them to review thousands of pages and talk to over a hundred potential witnesses.

If our client is in poor health, this stage of the case is usually compressed into a couple of months. However, if there is no medical urgency, the to and fro of the discovery process between plaintiffs and defendants can extend over many months.

Bankrupt Defendants

Over the years, a number of asbestos companies have filed for bankruptcy; many have set up settlement trusts that are separate from the litigation process. While moving the case towards trial, we also submit claim forms and negotiate with these settlement trusts. The money received from these trusts is generally much less than would have been received had they been in the litigation, and the terms of payment are often delayed over many years, but Kazan Law and the plaintiff have no control over this and we do the best we can in the circumstances.

Preparing for Trial

As soon as possible, we ask the court to put the case on the trial calendar. When a client is in poor health, we shorten the discovery process and ask the judge to expedite the case by moving it rapidly to the top of the trial calendar. A long period of discovery is a luxury that many clients cannot afford and we have been very successful at moving cases rapidly through the legal system.

Putting the case on the court’s trial calendar usually marks the beginning of serious settlement negotiations. We consult with the client and enter into negotiations with the defendants. We present each defendant with a demand that is reasonably based on that company’s share of liability in the lawsuit. We have settlement programs with several major defendants that give our cases favorable treatment.

Many defendants choose to settle once presented with the evidence against them, but we often start trial against one or more defendants. It frequently happens that during the course of jury selection the remaining defendants agree to settle; others settle during trial. It is unusual for a case to go all the way to a verdict.

Asbestos trials usually last about a month with evidence being given by treating doctors, oncologists, pulmonologists, pathologists, industrial hygienists, co-workers, the client and family, and others. (Read more about Kazan Law’s mesothelioma and asbestos verdicts.)

Resolution

When a case goes through to verdict, the losing party or parties usually appeal. This means that the final outcome of the trial can be delayed for many months or even years.

When each defendant settles, the plaintiff and family members have to sign a release. This document releases that defendant from further responsibility in the matter – meaning that the plaintiff cannot sue them again for the same thing.

There is also the question of how to distribute the money. It has to be divided, or apportioned, between the injured person and his/her dependents. One of the first requests we make to a new client is to sit down with an attorney who handles wills, estates and probate matters, and to review their entire estate plan or create a new one. Having a current, clear and accurate picture of one’s property – including the potential value of the pending asbestos lawsuit – goes a long way towards making the settlement and money distribution process a smooth one. Once all the parties have signed the release document, payment is usually made within three months. (Read more about personal matters during a lawsuit.)

Unfortunately, if the client dies before we have resolved the case, we have to put the personal injury case on hold while we file a wrongful death case. Then we consolidate the cases, and pick up the process of discovery, trial preparation and settlement negotiation where we left off.

In summary, there is no rigid formula for a mesothelioma case and we could probably find an exception to everything that you’ve just read. These are complex cases, but we have a great deal of experience bringing them, successfully, to settlement or verdict. We keep in close contact with our clients and potential clients, and are always available to answer questions and give an update on the case.